Treatment of acute alcoholic pancreatitis in cats.

We created acute pancreatitis in cats by instilling ethanol (20 ml of a 40% solution) into the stomach and then perfusing activated pancreatic enzymes through the main pancreatic duct. Edematous pancreatitis developed within 24 h as the enzymes leaked out of the duct into the surrounding pancreatic parenchyma. We tested the effects of a number of agents on the amelioration of the severity of the pancreatic inflammation. Cimetidine (an H2 receptor blocker) and Benadryl (an H1 receptor blocker) given in combination decreased the incidence of pancreatic hemorrhage but not the overall degree of inflammation. Indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor) had a similar effect. Terbutaline (a beta-agonist) given alone decreased the overall degree of inflammation, including the incidence of hemorrhage. All of the drugs given together were no more effective than terbutaline alone. The combination was effective even when given up to 12 h after the onset of pancreatitis.